National Real Estate Associations

Perhaps the most active, influential real estate trade association is the National Association of Realtors®.  The NAR calls itself "The Voice for Real Estate" and reports that it is America's largest trade association with more than 1.3 million members.

The NAR offers a number of benefits to its members, including discounts on products and services as well as access to group insurance plans (including home, auto, health, life, disability, and long-term care insurance).  The NAR also offers its members help with their real estate businesses, including marketing advice and access to research and resource publications.

The NAR also runs what it reports to be the U.S.' largest real estate website — realtor.com, which includes resource information for real estate agents as well as home buyers and sellers and offers access to a database of homes for sale.

Another important function of the NAR is as a lobbying group.  The Realtors Political Action Committee (RPAC) is reportedly on target to raise $11 million for the 2005-06 election cycle to support candidates who are sympathetic to realtors' needs.

National Real Estate Associations

• The National Association of Realtors (NAR) strives to help its members become more profitable and successful.  Founded as the National Association of Real Estate Exchanges in 1908, NAR programs include Realtor conferences, magazines, research, and lobbying activities.nbsp; NAR offers their members educational tools, financial services, and insurance, as well as marketing tools and office solutions.
• The Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB) is a non-profit affiliate of NAR.  The CRB designation is awarded to Realtors who have completed advanced educational and professional requirements.
• The Council of Residential Specialists (CRS) is a non-profit affiliate of NAR.  Founded in 1976, the Council strives to recruit and retain Realtors and international real estate professionals who seek superior knowledge, tools, and opportunities in the field of residential real estate.
• The National Association of Industrial and Office Properties is a national trade association for developers, owners, and investors, as well as asset managers and other professionals who work with industrial, office, and mixed-use commercial real estate.
• The National Association of Real Estate Appraisers was founded in 1966 as a Professional Organization for qualified Real Estate Appraisers who produce Professional Appraisal Reports.
• Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) is a membership organization for real estate advisors.  Founded in 1953, the organization serves over 1,000 members worldwide.
• The International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) represents the entire spectrum of the real estate industry in the United States and more than 60 other countries.  FIABCI links real estate practitioners with professionals in all areas of the industry, around the globe.
• National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (NAEBA) is pioneering a nationwide effort to better serve the needs of home buyers.  An Exclusive Buyer Agent can assist clients in locating and evaluating property, negotiating price and terms, evaluating loans and financing options, and finding competent home inspectors and home warranty companies.
• The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) is an organization of African American real estate professionals who strive to achieve the ideals of their "Democracy in Housing" vision.
• The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals is an organization of Hispanic real estate professionals who strive to help more Hispanic families achieve the American dream of homeownership.
• Real Estate Services Providers Council (RESPRO) is a national non-profit trade association comprised of providers from across the home buying and financing industry.  RESPRO strives to promote a friendly and efficient business and regulatory environment for its members.
• The National Association of Real Estate Investment Managers is a national professional association for entities engaged in providing real estate investment services.  NAREIM's member organizations represent both domestic and foreign capital; they include real estate advisors, financial institutions, REITs, opportunity funds and private investors.
• The National Real Estate Investors Association strives to develop, support and promote local real estate investor organizations while serving the interests of the real estate investment industry through networking, education, and lobbying activities.
• The Realtors Land Institute (RLI) is a real estate organization which is dedicated to serving real estate professionals who broker, lease, sell, develop and manage land.
• The Womens Council of Realtors (WCR) is an organization of Realtors which strives to develop women's potential as entrepreneurs and real estate industry leaders.
• The Real Estate CyberSpace Society provides their members with a variety of networking tools, strategies, and services.

National Real Estate Associations